Deeper than rank which royal will,
Or birth, or chance, or wealth supplies.
Knighthood that girds all valiant hearts,
Knighthood that crowns each fearless brow;
That knighthood this bronze cross imparts—
Let Fleece, and Bath, and Garter bow!
The plainness of the cross aroused critical comment, to which expression was lent in the epigram, which has not lost its point yet:—
Here's Valour's Cross, my men; 'twill serve,
Though rather ugly—take it,
John Bull a medal can deserve,